Cameroon president’s staff convicted for alleged journalist assault
Cameroon protesters clashed with police in Geneva outside the hotel where President Biya was staying.
Keystone / Martial Trezzini
Six members of Cameroon president Paul Biya’s staff have been convicted by Swiss judges investigating a reported attack on a journalist in Geneva last week.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga,dos
Español
es
Personal del presidente camerunés arrestado en Ginebra
The arrests took place on Tuesday, according to a statementExternal link from canton Geneva’s justice department, before on Wednesday four of the staff were given a four month suspended prison sentence, and two were given a three month suspended sentence.
Geneva prosecutors found the individuals (five men and one woman) guilty of coercion, damage to property, and illegal appropriation.
A journalist from Swiss public broadcaster RTS filed the complaint following an incident on June 26 outside the InterContinental hotel in the city. The journalist says he was assaulted by members of Biya’s security team who took his bag containing a mobile phone and wallet. The seized items were later returned.
The incident took place during a demonstration outside of the hotel, where Biya was staying, by a group of protesters. The alleged assault prompted Switzerland to summon the ambassador of Cameroon to Bern, where he was told that “such incidents are unacceptable, and that freedom of the press is protected and must be respected.”
Some 250 anti-Biya protesters returned to the hotel on Saturday and were dispersed by tear gas and water cannons after some tried to break through police lines.
A 2018 report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) accused Biya of spending a considerable amount of his time abroad since coming to power in Cameroon in 1982, much of it at luxury hotels in Geneva.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
The Böögg, Switzerland’s exploding psychic snowman
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Electricity reserves still needed in Switzerland in midterm
This content was published on
Switzerland's energy supply remains uncertain. Electricity reserves are still needed in the medium term, the Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom) said.
ICRC says next few days will be ‘decisive’ for aid to Gaza
This content was published on
The next few days will be absolutely decisive if the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue providing aid in the Gaza Strip, said its director-general Pierre Krähenbühl.
Switzerland unveils a national drought-detection system
This content was published on
Switzerland launched on Thursday a new national system for detecting drought and warning the population and authorities in advance.
Federal coffers to get CHF100 million boost from Swiss Post
This content was published on
Swiss Post will pay a dividend of CHF100 million ($121 million) to the Confederation this year, the company announced on Thursday.
Swiss Federal Railways satisfied with bodycams for transport police
This content was published on
Since the introduction of body-worn cameras, the frequency of assaults on Swiss Federal Railways transport police has fallen by 25%.
Zurich cantonal government to compensate victims of forced labour
This content was published on
Victims of past forced labour measures in canton Zurich could soon apply to receive a one-off solidarity compensation of CHF25,000 ($30,255).
Risk of a real-estate bubble in Switzerland grew in first quarter
This content was published on
The risk of a bubble in the Swiss property market increased slightly in the first three months of the year compared with the previous quarter, says UBS.
French authorities order Nestlé to remove its filtration system
This content was published on
Authorities in the south of France have served formal notice to Nestlé Waters, a subsidiary of the Swiss food giant, to "withdraw within two months" its microfiltration system for its Perrier mineral water.
Switzerland says pushbacks at border by Germany are unlawful
This content was published on
Switzerland considers Germany's planned systematic pushbacks at the border to be contrary to existing law, the department of justice has said.
Switzerland to hold referendum on introducing electronic ID
This content was published on
The Swiss are set to vote on the introduction of e-ID after the Federal Chancellery confirmed enough valid signatures were submitted by opponents of the federal law on electronic identity.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Violent scenes outside Geneva hotel of Cameroon president
This content was published on
Swiss police have used force to disperse around 250 people who were demonstrating against the presence in Geneva of Cameroonian President Paul Biya.
Swiss complain to Cameroon over ‘unacceptable’ journalist attack
This content was published on
Switzerland has complained to Cameroon following an attack on a Swiss public television journalist in Geneva on Wednesday.
This content was published on
Switzerland is acting as a facilitator in the crisis in north-western and south-western Cameroon at the request of the parties involved.
Cameroon’s Biya: Why the Swiss won’t stop his Geneva stays
This content was published on
Reports alleging Cameroon’s president Paul Biya runs his country from a Geneva hotel raise questions whether official Switzerland can intervene.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.